Haye claims home advantage - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Haye claims home advantage

David Haye's cruiserweight unification clash with Enzo Maccarinelli will be staged at the O2 Arena on March 8.

The Millennium Stadium had been touted as a possible venue, with Haye offering to fight Welshman Maccarinelli in Cardiff.

But a deal has been struck that gives the 27-year-old from Bermondsey home advantage.

Promoter Frank Warren said: "David and Enzo are the two biggest punchers, not just in Britain but in the world.

"We'll see something very special. It will be a sell-out - we knew the fans wanted this fight and now we're delivering."

Haye climbed off the canvas in November to beat the respected Jean Marc Mormeck in the seventh round, claiming the WBC and WBA titles.

Maccarinelli retained his WBO belt with a fourth-round stoppage of Mohamed Azzaoui in Cardiff last month.

The domestic showdown, which will be screened by Setanta and Showtime, is expected to start at 1am to accommodate American viewers.

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